Facing 12 Years in Prison, 32 Year old man remanded for Gun and Ammo

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Reporter

#TurksandCaicos, November 9, 2023 – A man facing gun charges appeared in court on Monday November 6.

Magnetic Media has confirm that the 32-year-old RALPH LEANDE RAPHAEL, as published by Royal TCI Police report on Friday November 3,2023 as being charged with possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition did appear before his Honor, the Chief Magistrate Mr. Jolyon Hatmin at the start of the week.

The Creole speaking male with Turks and Caicos ties will not be permitted to plea, as the two counts he is charged with are Supreme Court only offenses.

The matter will be transferred to the Supreme Court for a Sufficiency Hearing and Raphael cannot be granted bail by the Magistrate’s Court. A bail application can be made and heard in the higher court after he is remanded.

If convicted, Raphael faces that new, more strict unregistered gun possession law which offers a mandatory minimum of 12 years at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) or His Majesty’s Prison(HMP).

The 32-year-old was allegedly busted on October 29th, 2023 on Bay Road, Blue Hills, Providenciales.